Two-dimensional fast penetration of a magnetic field into a homogeneous plasma

Abstract
A fast penetration of a magnetic field into an initially homogeneous plasma is demonstrated. The penetration is induced by a density gradient along the current lines that is formed by the magnetic pressure in the two-dimensional flow. The penetration occurs for any magnitude of the plasma collisionality. If the collisionality is high enough the shock structure is determined by the resistivity, while in the low-collisionality case it is determined by the electron inertia.